US and Israeli flags were set alight in Iran ’ s capital Saturday as thousands mourned the loss of top military commander Qasem Soleimani , a day after he was killed by American forces.

“ We are with you , ” they chanted as they waved their hands in unison during the outpouring of grief at a rally in Tehran ’ s Palestine Square , an AFP correspondent reported.

Soleimani was killed on Friday in a US air strike outside Baghdad international airport that shocked the Islamic republic and sparked fears of a new war in the Middle East . He was 62.

One of Iran ’ s most popular public figures , Soleimani was head of the Quds Force that oversaw the foreign operations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps .

Iran ’ s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “ severe revenge ” and declared three days of mourning on Friday following the news of his death .

At Saturday ’ s rally in Tehran, men held up placards that called for “ revenge ” and black -clad women clutched portraits of Soleimani and Khamenei .

One man wearing a mask climbed onto a stone monument holding burning US and Israeli flags as others chanted “ Death to America ” .

“ Our response will definitely be beyond launching some missiles or destroying some American bases , ” said Milad Najafi, one of the mourners .

“ In fact , I think our revenge will be the annihilation of Israel , ” the student told AFP.

Another mourner , Ali Gholinam, paid tribute to Soleimani as “ the greatest man we had ” .

“ They took him not only from Iran but from the ‘ Resistance Front ’ , ” he said, referring to Iran ’ s allies in parts of the region including the Palestinian territories .
“ The ‘ Resistance Front ’ members are now mourning this great man , ” he told AFP.
“ I don ’ t know what the response could be, but whatever it may be, it must be proportionate . ”

Soleimani ’ s remains are due to be returned to Iran on Sunday ahead of ceremonies in Ahvaz , Tehran , Mashhad and Qom .

The slain general is expected to be laid to rest in his hometown of Kerman on Tuesday .

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